How lethal is a pulmonary embolism?

Variable: Some are subtle, and escape detection. Others are instantly lethal. Full range in between. Cause, size , degree of lung obstructed as well as pre embolic patient condition can cause variation.

Depends: Depends on the amount of clot that travels to the lungs, underlying heart and lung conditions, and concurrent illnesses. Massive pulmonary emboli associated with low blood pressure, right heart failure, severe hypoxia and pulmonary hypertension are more likely to cause death. Also if pulmonary emboli occurs as a complication of another illness are more deadly.

Quite deadly: Numerous factors. One-third of people with dvt/pe will have a recurrence within 10 years and one-third of people die within one month of diagnosis. I hope these links provide additional sources of information: http://goo.Gl/adb0m http://goo.Gl/jhprv.

It can be very: Deadly but depends on size & how much it compromises oxygenation.

Pulmonary embolus: A small pe doesn't block off much of the lung. A large pe can block blood flow to a large part of the lung and cause death.